Edward 1st thought that he would be able to suppress the rebellion of Scotland because he had executed William Wallace, who was a leader of Scotland. But it didn’t have an effect and Edward 1st died on the way to the battlefield in 1307 before he could realize his ambition. The Edward 2nd, who was the son of Edward 1st and the successor to the throne, was one of the most foolish king in English history. He was very different for politics and war.
Fortunately, Robert de Bruce got the chance. He was one of the nobles who claimed the right of succession and confused Scotland in the end of 13th. However, he suppressed the confusion of Scotland. Finally, he won the battle with England in Bannockburn in 1314 and got the sovereignty of Scotland again.

Hamish, who was a friend of William Wallace’s from his childhood, threw the claymore of Wallace at English army in front of him. It became a signal, Robert de Bruce was in the van and Scottish soldiers rushed English army.
The last scene of the movie “Brave Heart” is laid in Bannockburn. However, I don’t think that Robert de Bruce was in the van of Scottish army. In fact, Robert de Bruce killed the leader of English vanguard. It had encouraged Scottish soldiers and fortunately, English army took up their position with Bannock Burn in the background. Scottish spearman was attacked from the front and archer was attacked from the side. English army was driven off on the river. They made a mistake of strategy.

Before the Battle of Stirling Bridge, Sir William Wallace went up to the hill, called Abbey Craig, and he scouted English Army.
National Wallace Monument was built on the hill of Abbey Craig in 1877. It’s 67m height, 4 storeyed tower, there are some exhibitions about William Wallace and Scotland.
When you go to the tower, you have to go up the hill from bus stop near a car park. It’s really hard. Then you have to go up 246 steps of the spiral staircase to the top. Of cource there is no elevator.
In 1997, the statue of Wallace was built in the car park. However, it seems to be Mel Gibson, the main actor of “Brave Heart”. Some people who don’t think that “Brave Heart” is not good for Scottish History claimed that the statue was not necessary. “Brave Heart” is my favorite but the story is dramatized from history.

William Wallace, the great hero for independence of Scotland, rose up against the King of England, “Long Shank” Edward 1st in 1297. He fought against England with people of Scotland, and he won some small battles. Then some people rose in rebellion in Scotland.
English Army invaded near Stirling for suppression of rebellion. English Army and Scottish Army confronted each other on both sides of River Forth and the bridge.

Deanston lies on the south bank of the River Teith, it takes about 20 minutes from Stirling by bus. The town was built for workers of Adelphi cotton mill in 1785. All workers lived either in Deanston or Doune, a neighboring town.
Adelphi cotton mill was established in 1785, designed by Richard Arkwright. He invented a water-powered spinning machine in 1768. After that, he built some cotton mill in UK. He is one of the most important person for Industrial Revolution of UK. He was also knighted in 1786.
The cotton mill was closed in 1965, then converted into Deanston Distillery.
Deanston Distillery was established in 1965, however some buildings are old and important. They have to preserve them as a historical heritage of Industrial Revolution.

When I stay in the town of Scotland, I always go to Tourist Information. Because I can get a street map, a latest time table and some souvenirs. I checked the point of Tourist Information in Perth on the map of Ordnance Survey, then I went to the Tourist Information. But it was nothing.
“Don’t worry!”
Usually, there is a direction board on the main street. When I arrived a Tourist Information, I watched a interesting building. It was like a distillery. There was the sign of “TI”, so I didn’t make a mistake.
I asked to the staff of Tourist Information. According to him, it was a building of old mill.
When I find a building which is like a malt kiln, I feel that I find a treasure.

I have always wanted that when I go to Glenturret Distillery, I take some photos about Towser, the most famous whisky cat. So I looked for something about Towser, but there was only the statue of Towser. And there was a poster of Towser at the distilleries shop next to the statue. but they didn’t have a stock.
When I went out of shop, I thought Towser was really sad.
When I left distillery, I felt really bad.